Ingredients in Smith’s Rosebud Salve

By Kathy Mair

A product of the Rosebud Perfume Company, Smith’s Rosebud Salve has been around since 1895. Developed originally as a multi-purpose balm, the salve is still marketed as having numerous uses. Its many applications include use as a lip balm and gloss, diaper rash remedy, skin blemish treatment, dry skin moisturizer and for minor burn relief. Sold in the classic tin and now a tube, Smith’s Rosebud Salve works in small quantities and contains only three ingredients.

Cottonseed Oil

Cottonseed oil was the main vegetable oil produced in the United States until the 1940s. With a mild, nut-like flavor, cottonseed oil is not a flavor note in Smith’s Rosebud Salve. However, it lends this product chemical stability, leading to a longer shelf life.

Oil Blend

Aromol (which is trademarked and is a trade secret) is Smith’s Rosebud Salve’s secret blend of essential oils that are not named individually as ingredients. This blend does, however, have oil derived from roses. Rose oil, extracted from the flower’s petals, has long been a remedy for soothing irritated skin. It has been shown to decrease enlarged capillaries below the skin’s surface that cause a red appearance. Dry and sensitive skin especially benefits from rose oil.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum is a colorless, gelatinous substance. A chemical compound of only hydrogen and carbon, petrolatum is normally derived from petrochemicals but can be found in some plants or animals. As a Rosebud Salve component, petrolatum provides temporary relief from injury and exposure, and shields the skin from further irritation. It also forms a barrier that keeps moisture in the skin.

Variations

The Rosebud Perfume Company offers several other lip balms. Strawberry, Mint Rose, Brambleberry Rose and Mocha Rose contain similar ingredients to the Rosebud Salve with some variations and additions. Brambleberry incorporates beeswax for a less oily feeling. Skin nutrients shea butter and Vitamin E are added to Mocha Rose along with chocolate, vanilla and mocha flavors. Mint Rose, as its name suggests, contains peppermint oil.

Tips

The Rosebud Perfume Company suggests using Smith’s Rosebud Salve as more than just a lip balm. Besides soothing chapped lips, applying the salve over lipstick adds a sheen to your smile. Use the balm on particularly dry skin areas, including knees and elbows. It is also an effective way to relieve the pain of dry skin around your nose due to allergies or a cold.